Oregon Health & Science University paid a fine of nearly $12,000
following the deaths of five monkeys and the escape of nine others from
the Oregon National Primate Research Center in 2009.
University officials said Tuesday that they agreed to a settlement with
the U.S. Department of Agriculture and paid the fine on four violations
earlier this year. A group opposed to animal testing called the fine
"paltry."

In a letter dated May 8 to OHSU's chief lawyer, USDA investigators said
the university could settle the cases and avoid a fine up to $40,000 and
other sanctions.

Two monkeys died as a result of dehydration when a new water system
didn't work at the research center in Hillsboro. One was killed when it
was given an excessive dose of a sedative being studied, and two others
died when a miscommunication resulted in them being given a toxic
substance not intended for living animals.

University officials said they've taken steps to ensure the mistakes
aren't repeated, including retraining staff and requiring daily checks
of water lines.

"These incidents are unfortunate and the animal losses were felt deeply
by our staff," Nancy Haigwood, director of the primate research center,
said in a statement. "The personal impacts of these incidents on our
veterinarians, animal caregivers and scientists far outweigh any fine."

Researchers seek a balance between advancing human and animal health
while ensuring the wellbeing of animals being studied, she said.

The $11,679 fine includes a sanction for the 2009 escape of nine
monkeys. The macaques, which were part of a breeding colony and not
involved in health research, got free when a worker forgot to latch the
door to an outdoor cage. Four were captured immediately, but the last
wasn't found until two days later.

OHSU officials they've built a new perimeter fence that's harder for
monkeys to climb and trimmed nearby vegetation. The center also improved
the fencing in front of the doors to the monkey cages and created a
specialized team of employees with expertise in capturing animals in
case of any future escape, though there hasn't been one, officials said.

Stop Animal Exploitation Now, a group opposed to animal testing, said
the fine should have been much higher.

"The USDA is literally allowing OHSU to get away with murder" Michael
Budkie, the group's director, said in a statement.